I also agree, lead acid batteries are good enough and will take different charges, unlike other batteries.

The off the grid system will work now matter what, but it's not unlimited energy like our power companies.

One thing is clear, what happens when the power goes out for days, run a Lowes or Home Depot inefficient 5kw gas sucking junk, or a system that could run days on a single gallon of fuel for a average of 1kw per hour at 12 hr per day.

I have 800 watts of solar panels that can add to the charging, and if you have wind then that would also help.

This is not magic, it's a proven fact that the Prius used this same type of system and also Trans use diesel electric due to the efficiency of 4:1 miles per ton verses trucks  MPG.

Let's not forget you can use cooking oils to run in a diesel engine, all you have to do is pre-heat and filter out the junk. 

Tom

Quote from: TommeyLReed on February 22, 2014, 01:56:41 PM
I also agree, lead acid batteries are good enough and will take different charges, unlike other batteries.

The off the grid system will work now matter what, but it's not unlimited energy like our power companies.

One thing is clear, what happens when the power goes out for days, run a Lowes or Home Depot inefficient 5kw gas sucking junk, or a system that could run days on a single gallon of fuel for a average of 1kw per hour at 12 hr per day.

I have 800 watts of solar panels that can add to the charging, and if you have wind then that would also help.

This is not magic, it's a proven fact that the Prius used this same type of system and also Trans use diesel electric due to the efficiency of 4:1 miles per ton verses trucks  MPG.

Let's not forget you can use cooking oils to run in a diesel engine, all you have to do is pre-heat and filter out the junk. 

Tom

If you use grid tie inverters, you may be able to use them with your generator output.  If you don't have a generator output for a "grid" signal, I think you can use a sine wave ups that starts on battery, then run the output of the UPS through a transformer: 120v to 240 with center tap.  You can use the output of each half of the 240v output for each grid tie inverter to simulate a grid signal of 240v with neutral (center tap).  The voltage needs to be around 120v for each grid tie, to be able to turn on both of the the grid tie inverters.  You may need an AVR (automatic voltage regulator transformer) to keep the grid tie voltage down so the UPS accept the grid tie output and will run off of the grid tie unit's power.  Your house may need AVR transformers also, to make sure the voltage during light loads, stays near 120v so as to not damage devices in the house.  Just an idea I have kicked around, that is untested. 

Liberty

Quote from: TommeyLReed on February 22, 2014, 01:56:41 PM
I also agree, lead acid batteries are good enough and will take different charges, unlike other batteries.

The off the grid system will work now matter what, but it's not unlimited energy like our power companies.

One thing is clear, what happens when the power goes out for days, run a Lowes or Home Depot inefficient 5kw gas sucking junk, or a system that could run days on a single gallon of fuel for a average of 1kw per hour at 12 hr per day.

I have 800 watts of solar panels that can add to the charging, and if you have wind then that would also help.

This is not magic, it's a proven fact that the Prius used this same type of system and also Trans use diesel electric due to the efficiency of 4:1 miles per ton verses trucks  MPG.

Let's not forget you can use cooking oils to run in a diesel engine, all you have to do is pre-heat and filter out the junk. 

Tom

Diesel is good particularly if you insure that you run at least 25% capacity.  Otherwise be sure to change the oil frequently as it will build up acid.

Be very careful with diesel.

http://www.naturalnews.com/042556_epa_diesel_fumes_human_experimentation.html

Mags